This trio to represent Mets at All-Star Game
deGrom going for third year, to be joined by Alonso and McNeil
NEW YORK -- When Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil arrived at Citi Field on Sunday, Mets manager Mickey Callaway called both into his office. He congratulated Alonso for becoming the fourth Mets rookie to make the National League All-Star team, and the first position player to accomplish that feat. Callaway told McNeil that he wanted him in the room celebrate his friend’s accomplishment.
Then he added -- oh, by the way -- that McNeil had also made the team.
Those two will join Jacob deGrom as the Mets’ representatives for the game in Cleveland, giving the team multiple All-Stars for the first time since 2016. It is the first career All-Star selection for Alonso and McNeil, and the third for deGrom.
“When I found out, I was speechless,” Alonso said. “Just to think I’m one of the best in the world, it’s insane.”
“It’s a huge accomplishment,” added McNeil. “I’m just really excited, and ready to go represent the Mets.”
The 90th Midsummer Classic, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 180 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage in the United States, while ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @MLB and @AllStarGame on social media.
By the time Major League Baseball announced full rosters on Sunday evening, Alonso’s inclusion as an NL reserve seemed a foregone conclusion. The odds-on favorite to win the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year Award, Alonso entered Sunday’s play ranked second in the Majors in home runs, fourth in slugging and sixth in OPS. He has a chance to join Mark McGwire and Aaron Judge as the only rookies to hit 30 homers before the All-Star break.
Alonso also becomes the fourth Mets rookie to make an All-Star team, joining Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman and Dwight Gooden. He made the roster as one of Major League Baseball’s picks, unlike McNeil and deGrom, who made it via the player vote.
“A lot of hard work was done to get me in this situation, and I’m just really happy that I was able to capitalize,” Alonso said. “It’s a lot of hard work and preparation throughout my entire life. I’m just really happy that everything has come together. It’s a dream. That’s it, it’s a dream.”
Less certain of his status heading into Sunday was McNeil, whose .344 batting average ranked second in the Majors behind only Christian Yelich. This time last year, the Mets had only just promoted McNeil to Triple-A; now, he’s cemented his status as one of the league’s top hitters.
As a close friend of Alonso, McNeil is thrilled to be heading to Cleveland alongside a player whose path through the Minors mirrored his own.
“He deserves it,” Alonso said. “He’s got a chance to win a batting title this year. The kid rakes. He plays his heart out every single night.”
The only one of the Mets’ three All-Stars with prior experience is deGrom, who appeared in the game in 2015 and ’18. Both of those years, deGrom was the Mets’ lone representative. This year, he can share the fun not only with his family, but also with two players who weren’t his teammates at this time last year.
Although deGrom has been a bit imperfect in 2019, he’s recovered from a sluggish start to post a 2.81 ERA since the start of May, with 85 strikeouts in 77 innings. He ranks in the top 10 in the NL in ERA, WHIP, strikeouts and innings, and he now joins Seaver, Gooden and Jon Matlack as the only Mets pitchers to make three or more All-Star teams.
“Anytime you’re elected to the All-Star Game, it’s something cool,” deGrom said. “I’m excited. I’m excited for Pete and Jeff as well. Well-deserved for those guys. Both times I’ve went, I’ve been by myself. Now, I’ve got a couple teammates with me. I’m looking forward to the experience.”